It’s been so cold in DC and across the nation for that matter, that we’ve hit record lows all over the east coast and mid-west. It’s the kind of cold that cuts down to the bone. So, not surprisingly, I just couldn’t bring myself to ride my bike to my commuter train. Places unfamiliar with the cold like Florida and Georgia have gotten hit hard by the deep freeze but here in DC we’ve had 15 inches of snow and wind chills in the teens. Not the best bike riding weather.
For the last few weeks I’ve been taking our Metro subway system on the first leg of my commute. I just want to say right here and right now I can’t stand the Metro riders. They are pushy… literally pushy… they are unpolite and they are downright mean. But, to avoid the sting of the hawk, I rode with these depressing, inconsiderate commuters. Truth be told, I felt guilty every time I saw a bike rider zoom past me. “Could I brave the cold”, I asked myself? “Is it really too cold to ride?” I questioned? But then the wind would cut across my face and I answered, “hell, no, I’m not riding anywhere”
But, now that the weather has broken… if you want to call a break in weather a high of 34 with wind chills of 21 a break… I’m back in the bike saddle. I finally road my bike today for the first time in weeks. No matter how cold it was today, I was so much happier to be in the drivers seat… huh, that is… in the bike riders seat than on the subway.
Tomorrows high is predicted to reach 36 degrees. I really could care less. I just want the peace of mind of riding my bike, getting some exercise and staying far, far away from those rush hour Metro commuters.
